Oakville gives thumbs down on proposal to build 8-storey condo

Despite a provincial mandate to build more homes, and a staff recommendation, Oakville councillors rejected a proposal that would have brought more than 120 housing units to the Town.

Originally proposed as a 10-storey condo at 42 Lakeshore Rd. W., at Chisholm St. in Kerr Village, developers brought a revised, eight-storey project to the Town’s Planning and Development meeting Monday night.

However, councillors and many members of the public remained opposed to the proposal. The site, which also has heritage value, is zoned for a building with a maximum height of five storeys.

The building would have brought about 124 units, a mixture of one and two bedrooms, some with dens, as well as commercial space on the ground floor, four floors of underground parking and dozens of bicycle parking spaces.

The proposal has faced significant local opposition by neighbours who feel anything over the allowed five-storeys be out of character for the neighbourhood. They were also concerned about shadows from the building affecting their property.

The proposal itself was confusing to many of the councillors, who complained the proposal still called for a 10-storey amendment to the bylaw, although the developers said they were only seeking eight.

They also pointed to the Ontario Municipal Board decision that allowed a five-storey building as a reason to deny it.

Staff recommended the original proposal be scaled down to eight storeys (plus rooftop amenity space). Staff also recommended increased setbacks and the retention and restoration of the McCraney-Robertson House, which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

“While the applicant is aware of these revisions, they have not formally revised the application, and there is insufficient time under the Planning Act to continue discussions or for the applicant to provide a revised submission,” the report reads.

At a public meeting in November 2023, some neighbouring residents opposed the plan, saying that it was too big for the area. Others were concerned about increased traffic and the lack of parking at the site that would force tenants to park on surrounding streets.

Some people at Monday’s meeting, however, were in support of the proposal. Mostly younger people, they said all housing is needed in Oakville, especially less expensive options like condos.

The original proposal, left, called for 10 storeys. The revision, right, called for eight storeys.